Campus Montréal – Over $581 million raised for research, merit scholarships, infrastructure and campus life

This morning, accompanied by Hélène David, Minister responsible for Higher Education, and Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal, the leaders of HEC Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal and Université de Montréal announced that Campus Montréal’s major fundraising campaign has raised $581 million in philanthropic donations, beating its target of $500 million.

“We carried out the most ambitious fundraising campaign ever seen in a Francophone university environment,” announced Guy Breton, Rector of Université de Montréal, at the beginning of a press conference this morning. “These donations will provide direct support for major projects in four areas: research, merit scholarships, infrastructure and campus life. Above all, they will help us better pursue our mission for the benefit of all.”

Michel Patry, Director of HEC Montréal, reminded the audience that philanthropy often serves as a catalyst for getting promising projects off the ground. As an example, he pointed to the founding of IVADO, the Institute for Data Valorization.

“Campus Montréal was the catalyst at the origin of IVADO,” Mr. Patry said. “Today, international Internet giants like Google and Microsoft are showing an interest in the institute’s work.”

Christophe Guy, Chief Executive Officer of Polytechnique Montréal, added that this major fundraising campaign has already led to the establishment of 30 research chairs and funds in medicine, engineering, management, entrepreneurship, humanities and social sciences.

“Campus Montréal’s philanthropic commitments enabled existing organizations to be strengthened and new ones to be proposed,” he explained. “It’s mission accomplished, and we’d like to say 581 million thank yous to all those who made this campaign possible.”

Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal, reminded the audience of the important role that universities play in the city.

“After Boston, Montréal has the second most students of any city in the Americas,” he said. “What’s more, we’ve just been ranked as the top university city in the world for welcoming foreign students.”

“Universities are places of knowledge and research that bring unique dynamism to our city,” Mr. Coderre added. “It’s very reassuring to see that the philanthropic community is doing its part.”

“Campus Montréal was able to rally driving forces in the philanthropic community for the benefit of the three institutions helped by the campaign: places of knowledge, research and expertise. In my eyes, the success of this campaign represents a cultural shift in Francophone philanthropic circles, and that’s an extremely welcome development. When our universities receive philanthropic support, the entire province benefits,” commented Hélène David, Minister responsible for Higher Education.

Campus Montréal is an umbrella organization that has conducted a joint fundraising campaign for HEC Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal and Université de Montréal since 2013. Donations will be added to the final count until fall 2017, Campus Montréal’s five-year anniversary as a public organization.

Together, these three institutions are in the top percentile of the world’s best universities. They form one of the largest Francophone university complexes in the world, and the leading university research hub in Québec. Campus Montréal’s major financing campaign was headed by John Parisella in the role of Executive Director. Louise Arbour, Hélène Desmarais, Geoffrey Molson, Michael Sabia and Thierry Vandal served as co-chairs.

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